Clarke County, Alabama Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Clarke County is located in Alabama with a total population of 22,802. It is the 43rd most populous county out of 67 in Alabama.

Age Demographics

The median age in Clarke County is 42.5 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 39.3 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Clarke County is $49,167. This is 21% lower than the state median of $62,027. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 37% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.5%. This is 31% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 13.2%. This is 173% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $126,400. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $195,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Clarke County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 69.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Clarke County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 45.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (45.4% vs 25.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.4%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.

Education

15.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 27.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.3%.